All of Hollywood was at Ciroís that night. At a central table
Julie sat withher family.

"I canít believe all these famous people in one place.
This is amazing, Jules."Said Christine in an awed
whisper.

Julie was amused. She found it totally endearing that her
Godmothercould be so star struck.

"This isnít the first time youíve been here, Auntie."Julie reminded the older woman while her gaze wandered the room
checking out each and every possible connection in one
glance.

"Have you summed up the crowd yet, Jules?" Diana
asked herlove with a knowing grin.

"For all the good it does me. I have an exclusive contract
with Pete.There are a hell of alot of big shots here
tonight. I wonder if I could talkPete into a loan out?
Iím itching to do a new project."

"You can talk anyone into anything. You know that."
Diana repliedwith a sparkle of naughtiness in her pretty
green eyes.

"Really?" Julie replied with an answering smirk.

"Really." Said Diana with her version of a knowing
wink which greatlyamused the woman across from her who
had eyes only for the pretty blonde.

"I have a few ideas on that subject that we can discuss
tonight."

"I look forward to it."

"Oh , so do I my friend. So do I."

Christine rolled her eyes, they always got into these strange
word gamesaround her. She knew they didnít mean it but
it made her feel like a third wheel.

"Girls, I donít know or care what you are sending
messages about butwould you mind tabling it around me?
It makes me feel left out." She said quietly to
the two stunned woman.

Dianaís eyes widened and Julie could feel her own eyes well
up as thetwo young woman instantly got up and embraced
the older woman at the same time.

"Oh Mama, Iím so sorry..."

"Oh Auntie, please forgive us..."

They were kissing and hugging the older woman and saying
endearments until the older woman thought to herself
with amusement, ĎOh boy, now they'regoing too far the
other way.í

"Ok, ok you two," She finally said aloud patting
both their backs in thattime honored maternal way. "I
know it's a game and Iím fine really. I...Just wantedto
remind you I was here."

"Auntie, we knew that, believe me! I guess we just
got carried away.I love you so dearly. You're the closest
person in my life to being a mother tome and Iíd never
ever forget about you..."

ĎShhhh, it's okay, Jules. Oh and as far as Iím concerned
you are anadopted daughter. No doubt in my mind about
that."

Julie smiled her thanks then glanced at Diana who nodded
her approvalto both woman. Diana then took her motherís
hand and said, "Mama, I willnever let you feel left
out. It's very important to Julie and I that you feel a partof
all this. Of us, we're sorry that you..."

"Enough, I know Iím loved. Now let's decide what to
eat before thekitchen is empty." The girls nodded
and both started to study their menus.

Christine reflected as she read hers, ĎYes girls, I know that
Iím loved.í

* * * *

After dinner while sipping her coffee, Diana looked up and
her biggreen eyes widened, "Jules, do you remember
that redhead from thetrain?"

"Yes Squirt, why? " Julie said as she sipped her
coffee.

"Well sheís here and sheís staring at you again."

"Where?"

"Behind you to the right."

"I see," She said briskly, "Excuse me a minute."

"Jules, wait!"

But it was too late. Julie was striding across the restaurant
toward thetall redhead briskly.

"May I ask what you find so damn fascinating?"
Julie asked the woman withoutany preamble.

"Iím sorry, but you're an actress and a model. Surely
you are used to being looked at?" The woman asked
in a cut glass English accent.

"Yes, but not this unrelenting continual stare you
seem to enjoy so much!What is it about me that keeps
you doing that?" Julie's voice made it clear shewas
waiting for a reply to her question and would accept no other response.

"My name is Agatha Christie and this my new husband
Max Mallowan.I was watching you both on the train and
here due to the fact there is a bit ofresemblance with
a character I have written. Max and I are here to negotiatefor
a film version of my book, "Partners in Crime" and you are a perfect
Tuppence,although you are a little taller then I had
written her. Iím quite sorry I made youfeel uncomfortable."

"Agatha Christie, the famous mystery writer?"Julie
asked stunned,"The one who wrote Hercule Poirot?"

"Yes, youíve heard of me?"

"Of course, My best friend has read all your books
so far and has beenmaking me read them with enthusiasm.
You're very talented."

Agatha shyly looked down, and Max smiled up at Julie, "My
wifecannot stand praise. You're right, though she is
very talented," He saidkissing her on the cheek.

Agatha blushed a deep red and then said to Julie, "Would
you be interested in playing Tuppence? I think youíd
play her quite well."

"I think Diana just picked it up. Iíll read it, but
Iím under an exclusive contractand..."

"Let me talk to you producer, I can be quite persuasive
in my own quiet way..."

"She sure can." Max interrupted his wife with
a laugh.

Julie smiled and her eyes twinkled, she liked this couple.

* * * *

"What was all that about?" Diana asked full of
curiosity as Julie sat down attheir table. She had made
a quiet deal with Agatha, shook hands then rejoined herfamily.

"I think I may have just found my loan out. That was
Agatha Christie, my sweet."

As much as she was enjoying her love's pout what was to
come wasso much more delicious, "Weíre having lunch
with her tomorrow. Bothof us..." Julie never finished,
She was assaulted by one leaping, joyful blondeís, bear
hug. This caused Christine to burst into a fit of giggles.Diana
kissed Julieís cheek then each eye and almost landed one onher
mouth before Julie gently pulled away with a smile and a very quietwhisper
only Diana could hear, "Let's continue this train of delicious thoughtprivately, my love."

Diana realized what she had almost done in public and in
front ofher Mother and turned beet red. "Oh God,
Iím sorry..."

That night after they made sure Christine was comfortably
settled in forthe night and had everything she needed,
the two entered their room.

Closing the door, Julie opened her arms wide and said, "Care
to continue our discussion?"

Diana didnít need to be asked twice. She ran into the embrace,
throwing herarms around Julie's neck. To her surprise
she found herself lifted off the ground asJulie carried
her gently to their bed. After placing Diana down she put an armon
each side of her and lowered her body so they were inches apart but not touching.

Julie smiled and lowered her body so that they were now
touching butshe was not crushing the smaller woman. Diana
trembled as she felt Julie'ssoft breath on the side of
her face.

"Is this close enough?"

"Oh yes," Diana replied hoarsely, bringing her
arms around Julieís neck and makinga trail of kisses
down her neck to the treasures below.

"Interesting debating technique you have there Squirt."
Julie said seductively, panting slightly as she took
a delicate ear in her mouth to nibble gently.

Both slowly lost themselves in this passionate discussion
and soon soared to the place of enchantment that only
lovers go.

* * * *

Diana was cuddled deep in Julie's embrace, her head lightly
on the tallerwomanís shoulder and her arms encircling
her waist. Julieís arms were tightlywound around Dianaís
waist and she was gently nuzzling her head against thesmaller
womanís sweet smelling hair.

"Julie?í

"Mmmm," Was the deeply contented reply from her
companion.

"Thank you," She said simply with a warm smile.

"Thank you too," Julie replied as she kissed a
golden eyebrow.

"Oh no, I mean I loved our "discussion" but
what I meant was for inviting meto meet one of my favorite
writers. You didnít have to..."

"Oh Squirt, I wanted to. I think it's the least I can
do..."

"What do you mean? Julie, you donít owe me anything.
All I wantis your love." She sat up slightly so
she could look into the older womaníseyes.

Blue eyes moistened, she hugged Diana tightly."Oh
My Love, You have all the love my heart can give, every ounce!I
hope you know that by now?" She asked looking deeply into glisteninggreen eyes.

Diana nodded, "Of course I do."

Julie kissed her deeply, and when they gently parted, still
panting, she broughtthem back into their cuddle. Quietly
she said to her love, "What I mean is thatI owe
you for the joy and happiness youíve brought into my life. No success would be complete with out you, My Love. So I couldnít think
of meeting someone you admire so without you present.
Do you understand, sweetheart?"

Diana nodded her head, then hugged tighter.

"Yes, I do, My Love. I canít believe you feel that
way. You, my sweetkind, generous Love make my life complete.
You make me so happy that Iívenever noticed what I do
for you. Thank you for telling me. I t means a lot that it'smutual."

Diana had no arguments over that loving suggestion and their"discussion" went on well into the night, both womanís
heartsthumping with joy.

* * * *

Julie and Tom Mix were both in robes on a desert set waiting
for theirnext scene. They both were busy studying lines
when Tom looked up andsmiled.

"Julie?"

"Yea, Tom?"

"Are you going to the wrap party tomorrow at my house?"

"Do I have a choice?í

"No,"

"Then yes Iím going. Iíll have to find something nice
for Diana and I to wearthough."

"Sheís such a sweet little girl. Did you know sheís
been helping me with mylines?"

"Yea, She was really pleased to help you. Did she,
or were you beingnice to her? Iím grateful to you either
way, Tom."

Tom smiled gently, "She was very, very helpful. In
fact, sheís even offeredme some valuable insight. Sheís
very bright. Sheís also totally devoted to you.You're
really very lucky to have some like her as a friend. It's a rare thing to findsomeone who cares about you that deeply."

"I know, Tom. Sheís more then rare, sheís one of a
kind. And Iím very grateful for every day that she is
in my life."

"Good," He paused then looked up as he saw the
object of theirconversation heading towards them. "Sheís
heading our way now, youknow."

Julie looked up and her face lit up. Tom was amazed. The
womanbefore him was already beautiful but she glowed
when her young friend wasnear her.

"Hi," Diana said to both of them and handed Julie
a manila envelope.

"This is from Pete."

Julie looked at the outside, then she ripped it open along
the edge. Insidewas an 8X10 of Louise Brooks and it was
personally signed to Julie. "Fromone Modern Woman
to another, Your Friend, Louise Brooks." There was anothernote
from Pete attached, "I told her about you and she was flattered so shesent this along. I hope you're enjoying life out there. Spoke
to Agatha Christie and itseems you enchanted her too.
Not a surprise. Iíll be in touch, Love, Pete."

"I see Agatha had her little talk with him. This is
his way of saying that I maybe out of his sight but Iím
not out of his thoughts..."

"You mean heís trying to manipulate you? Bribe you?"
Tom asked a bitprotectively. Heíd become very close to
both young women and he felt a fatherly,protective streak
surface.

"Oh, Pete wouldnít do that." Diana said with confidence
in her employerand friend.

"He would, Squirt. But he would never, ever try to
pull that with me. He knows better. He may try to persuade
me but never manipulate me because Iíd see it coming
faster then he could throw it. No this is his way of remindingme
that he cares and that heíll let me do "Partners in Crime." "

Diana smiled, "Oh I know he is. Look what else came
in the studiomail for you." Diana pulled another
thicker envelope from behind her back.

"What is it?" Julie asked as she reached out her
hand to accept thepackage being handed to her with such
a bright smile from her little love.

"A contract and the script. First stages of course
and it is already beingsent to the writer's room for
rewrite but they wanted you to start studying it incase
you have any suggestions. Man, that Agatha is a fast worker. Sheís sonice and shy, Tom. Do you know her?"

"No, I havenít had the pleasure, little one. Iím a
cowpoke so the brassrarely introduce me to dignitaries
unless they ask to meet me. They love themoney I bring
in but their embarrassed by my forthright manner."

"Then it's their loss I think you're great!" Diana
said honestly and lookedtoward Julie for agreement.

"Anyway, Agatha was really kind to Jules and I at lunch
the other day. She was very funny too. I really liked
her. Didnít you Jules?" Diana was trying to save Tom from
his embarrassment and change the subject. Julie smiled in admiration of herfriend's kindness and discretion.

"What wasnít to like? Sheís very nice. And she was
quite enchanted withyou, Squirt."

Diana blushed beet red causing both Julie and Tom to smile
brightly.

"Oh yea, Jules. Thatís why she was so fascinated by
you."

"Not me; my look. Iím a character study. You were a
fascinatingluncheon guest."

"Like you werenít?"

"Not like you were."

"Ok, ok" interrupted Tom laughing hardily. "You're
giving me a headacheyou two. Let's say she found you
both enchanting and call it a draw, deal?"

Julie and Diana looked at each other and big smiles broke
out on both theirfaces, "Deal." They answered
at the same exact moment causing them bothto laugh and
give each other an affectionate hug.

Tom just shook his head and laughed and went back to studying
his script.The girls sat down next to him and began to
go over Julieís lines. It wasalso decided that Christine
would come to the wrap party so they were goingout gown
shopping for the three of them that night. Julie hated shopping but even that was fun with the Squirt along.

ĎShe just brings joy to even the most tedious task. Yes
Tom, Iím damn lucky to have her in my life.í